What exactly is a speaker box sound?

I have never heard this edge diffraction effect - regardless of the price of the speakers (cheap to expensive). My favorites have been ESL's - the Quads and KLH Nines. Obviously free from any boxy sound!

I haven't heard the effects of edge diffraction, except maybe slightly diminished imaging capability. I say that having owned Spendor SP100s twice, and they have a raised frame around the baffle.

Where I have perceived a boxy sound is in some large, older speakers that resonate at some bass notes, and give away their box volume in the process, as well as their location which spoils the stereo soundstage when it happens.

agreed. boxy sound is caused by cabinet resonance, some more some less.  

Most good designs try to minimize the diffraction effect, you'll mostly lose imaging and depth. 

I haven't heard the effects of edge diffraction

How would you know that unless you heard both a speaker with and without diffraction?

@kenjit - summed up precisely. End of conversation!

Older bookshelf speakers ( the seventies) never sounded right to me, that’s why I switched to panel speakers. Today I have a new pair of KEF speakers and a set of panels. The KEF’s don’t sound boxy, but the panel speakers still have a better midrange.

The best way to recognize boxy sound, is to hear a speaker that doesn't have it. It's the rare "AHA" moment.

@curiousjim KEF has all kinds of speakers, are speaking of KEF blade?

The best way to explain this is with your EARS.  Go to a high-end shop.  Listen to the same source--one you believe you know well--on any and every box or horn or whatever speaker they have.

THEN, listen to the same source on Magneplaner speakers.  If you cannot tell the difference, buy the speakers you like best.  If you can, you have learned what I did in the 1970's.  ALL box speakers change the sound of the source.  Some may like that, some may not.  Maggies deliver whatever you send them.  Once again, some may like that, some may not.  As for pure electrostatic speakers, give them about 30 minutes or so and you will understand the term "listening fatigue."

Cheers!

@ashoka 

I have the original Reference 5’s, not the Meta’s.

@richopp 

Magneplanars, as good as they are, have their own "sound" too. I recall oversized instruments and voices as a result of the large radiating surface. We each choose the distortions that we find easiest to live with.

@roxy54 

Exactly why I suggested to the OP that he listen to EVERYTHING and buy what HE likes.  While we may disagree on what Maggies "add" or "sound like" in a given situation, I, PERSONALLY, have never heard a more accurate reproduction of the source material when the ROOM is right and the HW is top-quality (ARC in my case).

My shop sold over 20 brands of speakers, so I definitely understand that people have different tastes.  My point to the OP was to listen to as many DIFFERENT things as possible before making a buying decision.

Cheers!

Exactly why I suggested to the OP that he listen to EVERYTHING and buy what HE likes.

It's a little sad people think you only come to audiogon when buying.  This thread is for discussion, and curiosity for me, not to help me buy anything.  I always buy what I prefer to listen to, if I can't make it myself. :)

My point to ask this question is in part that I haven't heard actually terrible speakers that sound like boxes in a very long time.  Was wondering what is out there today that has this quality.

It’s a  thing of the past for anyone who cares. I wouldn’t give it a second thought.  Still a thing with cheap mass marketed speakers that anyone with ears and even a little money can easily avoid if it bothers them. 

You should try some computer speakers and small pocketable bluetooth speakers. You'll get that "tiny driver screaming in a tin box" effect. 

@erik_squires 

I suppose you are right, but his point was asking about box speakers.

ALL of them distort the source material.  How much is up to HIM to hear.

Period.

By the way, do you find it interesting that most "high-end" makers of box speakers have chosen a "tall" form factor ever since the late 1970's or so?  I WONDER where they got THAT idea?  I will have to ponder that one for a while, I guess...

Cheers!

I think the tall vs. wide and squat has a lot of benefits. Smaller footprint, better location of the tweeter/mid relative to the ears. The minimum dimension of the panels also must be easier to brace.

I have long argued that the 2.5 way speaker could very well be the ideal compromise for most family rooms.

@richopp I agree with everything you said.

"ALL of them distort the source material."

@richopp 

Make that ALL speakers, not just all box speakers. 

Some designers remain, errr, heretical.

@twoleftears 

Well, we shant have it!  Heresy, indeed!  Off with their, uh, feet!

@roxy54 

Like I posted, everyone has their own opinions.  Buy what YOU like.

@secretguy 

Thank-you!  Everyone likes to be agreed with.  I had the good fortune to LISTEN to many brands of gear played through many brands of speakers when I had my shop.  We also had real musical instruments present, and were able to compare them to (processed) recorded sound.

I come by my OPINIONS through many hours of listening to many, many "high-end" products in my shop.  Whether others find the combo I believe to be most accurate to their liking is why there are about 500 manufacturers of home audio "stuff" around at any given time.  Makes it all fun, I guess...

Cheers!

Cabinet resonance and buzzing of course let one know the speaker is in a box but I'm not sure that's what we're talking about here. More like the 'closed-in' box sound some may or may not exhibit. I think modern boxes are far better and money seems to buy a more open sound regardless.

I've heard Magnepans for over forty years and owned Martin Logan electrostats as mains. If you enjoy 'large' singers and images, great. I sure don't feel they are more accurate.

I went to a good pair of ported boxes and will never, ever go back as they reproduce music far more accurately IMO. And that's after a lifetime of listening and attending shows, so...to each his own opinion.

Listen to some Magnepans or Martin Logan electrostats playing music you know well. Your music, not someone else's. Take a CD or thumb drive with you. Listen carefully. If you don't hear a better version of you music, stick to what you have and be happy you saved a bunch of money.

@boomerbillone 

"If you don't hear a better version of you music, stick to what you have and be happy you saved a bunch of money."

That is by no means necessarily true as many "box" speakers cost far more than Maggies or most Martin Logans.

I am with Roxy54 in that all speakers color the sound relative to what was produced within the recording chain from the source.